Lehigh Gorge Whitewater Rafting

Dam-release rafting through Lehigh Gorge: about 12 miles, Class II–III rapids, and 4–5 hours of paddling as a team.

On a handful of weekends each year the dam upstream lets out extra water, and the calm Lehigh turns into a whitewater river with dozens of Class II–III rapids. We share rafts of 4–7 people and run the river through Lehigh Gorge State Park: cliffs, forest, streams spilling into the river, and no roads in sight.

The day goes like this: about an hour and a half to Jim Thorpe, change at the outfitter, safety briefing, and a shuttle to the put-in. Then 4–5 hours on the water with a lunch break on the bank, so bring your own food. After the take-out, dry clothes and the drive home. Everyone signs the outfitter’s waiver and watches a short safety video before the trip.

Honestly, this is the club’s most active trip. No experience is needed, but you will paddle a lot, and everyone must be able to pull themselves back into the raft after a swim. The outfitter takes ages 8 and up, but for kids it is a long, wet day. The operator and release date are confirmed when we schedule the trip.